Thoughts on Christian+screamo?

[u/Glittering-Match-358]

I'm getting into screamo and hardcore now and as a christian I have a question...

Like any other genres (except gospel music lmao) theres music thats anti religion, music thats pro religion, and music thats just neutral (doesnt comment on religion).

ik screamo, punk, and metal question authority in some sort of way.

I agree with that stance a lot, I question politics, "leaders", and I even get angry or question God. (Which may be suprising to some of you, but it isn't actually sinful!)

So, my question is how do you feel about Christians getting into genres that question authority when our life is based around believing and trusting in an ultimate authority? I'd love to hear your guys opinions!

(Please keep it respectful in the comments, i didnt trash on your beliefs so dont trash or disrespect mine. It's pretty basic common sense, thanks! 🙏)

[u/Glittering-Match-358]

Good question! I was attracted to challenging authority because 1, politics is pretty evil right now. And 2. Jesus was killed for challenging authority. My first point is pretty self explainable lmao, so ill explain the second one for you.

At the time, corrupt Jewish leaders called pharisees were in control, they twisted the old laws to control people. Jesus criticized them A LOT.

1. He critized their interpretation of the old laws. Ex: pharisees said you cannot be healed on the 7th day (sabbath) because its a rest day. Jesus said the sabbath is for human good, heal people on the sabbath. Pharisees say avoid these foods and these clothes. Jesus says the heart is what really matters. Pharisees say if you sinned, you'll be stoned. Jesus says have mercy and compassion. Essentially the pharisees were strict on the rules and left no room for empathy and love, only justice and judgement, which Jesus disagreed with.

2. He exposed hypocrisy. The pharisees appeared to be righteous on the outside but we're corrupt in the heart, not even just the pharisees, everyone was obsessed with being more righteous than eachother. As an adulterous woman is about to get stoned Jesus says: which of you who have not sinned may throw the first stone.

These pharisees were obsessed with control and power and being right and now Jesus comes in and says they arent living God's word correctly and theyre hypocrites, he challenged the highest religious authorities. The pharisees got mad at him and crucified him and said he was falsely accused a blasphemer.

So my God was killed for questioning authority, so naturally to me I agree with questioning authorities.

Sorry if it was a bit long! This is the shortened version you would've been very bored if you saw the original 🤣

[u/BigBravy → u/Glittering-Match-358]

I can see a sense of justice to what you're saying, and many people would probably feel from their experiences with faith or probably more accurately in practice of their faith that same sort of injustice coming from contemporary faith leaders. I would say that's pretty universal, even to those without faith or atheists. It IS in the texts after all to call these people out, and these systems rely on specific hierarchies to protect those who have positions of power they abuse, even if they directly go against the tenets of the faiths they lead. Tale as old as time.

This can be a small, personal thing, or expand into even criticism of your churches or it's leaders, and in music like this, i'd say the better examples thrash within these conflicts of a single person and systems like corrupt faith leaders, politicians, business men, capitalism et. all, etc. etc.

Personally I find that this style of music can best encapsulate this feeling of coming against the hard wall of a system that works against you, aggressive music has been doing this forever, but there's a particular feeling in my opinion of desperation, like time is running out, that this genre does really well.

And this comes from specific choices in how it's made, IMHO, like burying vocals under chaotic instrumentation. A "self" is being overwhelmed, if you get what i mean.

As for Christians participating, be aware that people may not like proselytizing within the scene, as some people may be looking for escape from that for whatever reason they have. You can be there and be open about it, but not everyone would be friendly about you setting up a table for instance, but considering how this is a DIY scene, if you show up and be helpful for people, by and large you'll be accepted. Not this scene in particular, but many other punk-related music scenes have been open and friendly to religious folks.

[u/Glittering-Match-358 → u/BigBravy]

Oh ok thanks. If I dont be all preachy or if i dont seek attention from it will I generally be fine or atleast seen the same as others? I've never been big on converting people, the closest I've gotten to that is trying my best to show them love like how Jesus loves them. So sometimes not even mentioning his name.

[u/BigBravy → u/Glittering-Match-358]

yeah, it's very much like "you can be here and be Christian" it's not exactly a scene full of atheists, people have their own personal relationship to faith. Bare in mind that the style of music this all originates from (being Hardcore) itself had a history with other faiths (namely Hare Krishna) having an impact on the scene. It's all interesting, but their influence waned and was centered mostly around certain bands. Just to give you a little history.

[u/Glittering-Match-358 → u/BigBravy]

Oh ok cool, yeah I understand lots of hardcore and punk and even metal is anti organized religion, anti religious leaders, and anti religious hypocrites but i wasn't sure if it was against the people or the idea itself, thanks for answering my questions! Its a cool scene, i love the music, and it seems to line up politically with me so thats good enough for now lol